The situation in and around Iran following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei continues to escalate. The country is preparing for a change of power and simultaneously for a large-scale military operation against the USA and Israel.

On the night of March 1, Iranian state media confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to official data, he died on February 28 as a result of a joint US-Israeli military operation. It is reported that the strike targeted his residence in Tehran. The Iranian government called the incident a "great crime" and declared national mourning for a period of 40 days.

Against this backdrop, Iran is beginning an emergency reorganization of power. The country's Supreme National Security Council held an emergency meeting. Council Secretary Ali Larijani stated that a temporary governing council would be formed on March 3, with the main task of organizing elections for a new Supreme Leader.

Meanwhile, the threat of a large-scale military operation persists. In a statement by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the military command announced the start of "the most fierce offensive operation in the history of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic": strikes will target the "occupied territories" (meaning Israel) and the "bases of American terrorists" throughout the Middle East region.

Regarding retaliatory actions, Iran has already launched initial massive strikes using drones and missiles. Attacks have been reported on US bases in the Persian Gulf, as well as on targets in Israel, including the Tel Aviv area – one missile fell in the city center, causing casualties.

Israel's main ally, the United States, is determined to continue the escalation. President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to overthrow the regime and promised to continue strikes, stating that the US would pursue its enemies.

Of critical importance to the global economy is Iran's decision to immediately and completely halt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 to 30 percent of global oil trade passes. A complete ban has also been imposed on the passage of any US vessels through the strait.

The conflict has already spilled beyond Iran's borders: strikes have been recorded in the Persian Gulf against Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE. In Dubai, debris from intercepted rockets caused a fire, and the airport was affected. Many countries in the region, including Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and Israel, have closed their airspace to civil aviation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also responded, warning that escalation in the Middle East could lead to a "chain of events that no one can control."

How did it all begin? Donald Trump decided to launch the operation after a report on the failure of negotiations: Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment and dismantle its missile program. Furthermore, US intelligence claimed that Iran itself was preparing attacks on American facilities. Simultaneously, a large-scale cyberattack was carried out: government systems and the IRNA news agency were hacked, and messages urging desertion began reaching IRGC military personnel through a popular prayer app.

Olzhas KUANDYK